INDUSTRY NEWS: Integra and LifeCell settle their differences

Biomedical Materials, June 1, 1998

Two US companies involved in the development of biomaterials particularly for use in the treatment of burns and skin defects said they have resolved their differences and that all litigation pending between them is now settled. (See Biomedical Materials, December 1997, pp. 5-6.)

LifeCell Corp, based in Texas, and Integra LifeSciences Corp, based in New Jersey, were engaged in a patent dispute. Following the settlement, the two agreed that Integra will buy US$500 000 of LifeCell common stock, and LifeCell has agreed to a royalty-bearing licence for any possible future biomaterials-based matrix products developed by LifeCell that may be covered by the patents.

"For the most part, our companies are pursuing complementary technologies, appropriate for different medical applications," said Stuart Essig, Integra's Chief Executive Officer. "The patents under dispute represent pioneering technology in the area of biomaterials-based matrices. Both companies benefit significantly by avoiding any further expense and distraction of the litigation. I expect Integra's investment in LifeCell to provide an excellent return," he said.

Integra develops and manufactures medical devices, implants and biomaterials mainly used in the treatment of burns and skin defects, spinal and cranial disorders, orthopaedics and other surgical applications. LifeCell is a bioengineering company, primarily involved in developing tissue regeneration and cell preservation products, for example, its first commercial product AlloDerm(c) acellular dermal graft, used in reconstructive plastic, dental and burn surgery.

For further information, contact: J. Donald Payne, Chief Financial Officer, LifeCell Corp, 3606 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381, USA; tel: 1-281-367-5368; fax: 1-281-363-3360; e-mail: dpayne@lifecell.com; or Judy Brenna, Corporate Communications Director, Integra LifeSciences Corp, tel: 1-609-936-2370; e-mail: jbrenna@integra-LS.com